Intruder shot by off-duty police officer in her home

The officer awoke to sounds downstairs, and when she identified herself as a cop the suspect charged at her

By Liam Ford
Chicago Tribune

WRIGHTWOOD, Ill. — An off-duty police officer roused by sounds of someone in a downstairs bedroom shot an intruder who came at her after she confronted him in her Wrightwood neighborhood home this morning, officials said.

The intruder, believed to be in his late teens, was in serious condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn following the incident in the 7900 block of South Sacramento Avenue, said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 spokesman Patrick Camden.

The shooting took place about 9:40 this morning, said Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli.

The officer was at home, sleeping, when she heard her doorbell but did not respond, Camden said. She was awakened by noise in a first-floor bedroom and went downstairs and confronted the intruder, identifying herself as an officer, Mirabelli said.

Instead of giving up, the intruder charged at the officer and, fearing for her life, the officer shot him, Mirabelli and Camden said.

News Affairs did not immediately have information on the attacker's age or condition, though Camden said he is expected to survive.